Switch-stand.



F. E. PLACE.

SWITCH STAND; APPLICATION munnsm, 1909.

963,646. Patented July 5, 1910.

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v mum. Z- Mil! .mq w 32 /z l v '7 Will? 35 I 32 WITNESSES IINVENT R F. E. PLACE.

SWITCH STAND.

APPLIO'ATION PILIGD-I'HB.8,1909.

Patented July 5, 1910. units-slum 2.

INVENTOR g d v rnE-NoRRls-Ensnsta. WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK E. PLACE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNOR TO BUDA FOUNDRY & MANN- FACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SWITCH-STAND.

of the mast thereof and the housing of the mechanism which actuates the same.

The first of the objects of my invention is to provide for positive movement of the target and lamp, with a minimum danger of accidental displacement of either, and also to afford a better support for the mast and a more reliable actuating connection between the mast and the hand lever which serves to move the same.

The above, as well as such other objects as may hereinafter appear, I attain by means of a construction which I have illustrated in preferred form in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view showing my improved switch stand mounted in position upon two adjoining ties indicated in section;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the mechanism of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a view partly in section, indicating more in detail the mounting of the mast andthe arrangement of the actuating mechanism thereof;

Figure 4 is another detail view partly in section, of the mechanism shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view of the locking device which I employ for the hand lever or actuating arm;

Figure 6 is a small perspective view of the upper end of the mast, indicating the 0011- struction thereof which I provide in order to insure a minimum danger of displacement of the lamp which is intended to be mounted thereon.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the gear operating shaft, illustrating the design thereof which I provide in order to insure against rotation of either the gear or the lever thereon,

Figure 8 is an illustration of a modified form of the signal carrying mast.

Referring now more partlcularly to Flgures 1 and 2, 1t w1ll be seen that in carrylng Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 8, 1909.

Patented July 5, 1910.

Serial No. 476,829.

out my invention I provide first a main base or body portion 7 having the supporting feet 8 resting upon the ties 9, and carrying the shaft 10 upon one end of which is se cured the hand lever 11 which has at its outer end the usual weight 12.

On top of the body portion 7 is a cover plate 13 secured by the bolts l l as shown, the bearing for the shaft 10 being formed between the body portion and the said cover plate. I

Referring now more especially to Figures 3 and 4 it will be seen that the shaft 10 at its inner end carries a pinion 15 which engages with a segmental gear 16 through which is formed a. socket for the square mast 17, so that the mast may be turned by movement of the gear. As a means for se curing better support for the gear as well as the mast, the gear itself is provided with a hub 18 that is j ournaled in a suitable bear- .ing 19 at its upper end and another suit-able bearing 20 at its lower end within the body portion 7.

As a further aid in supporting the gear 16 in proper position I provide the same with an integral flange 21 resting upon the lower face of the casing of the body portion 7.

As ameans to prevent the mast from sliding downward I provide the collar or hub 22, and as means for securing in position on the lower end of the mast the lever device 23 which connects with the rod 24: extending to the switch mechanism, I provide the nut 25 arranged as shown.

It will be seen that the mast 17 is continuous from end to end and integral, and being square in section and fitting within a square socket passing through the gear 16, will be sure to move, in unison with said gear, and will be well supported by the hub of said gear within the upper portion of the casing, as well as below, as the hub itself is cylindrical exteriorly and fits within the casing as indicated at 19 and 20.

Upon the upper end of the mast the same is arranged of rectangular shape, as clearly shown in Figure 6, such rectangular portion 26 serving to better hold the lamp in place to avoid misplacing the same and cause reliable movement thereof whenever the mast is turned. The usual target or signal blades 27 are provided secured to the mast as indicated, by bolts 28.

' Ran be observed that there are no pins or bolts employed which must carry the turning or moving strain, which in practice are sometimes liable to wear outor shear off, causing the lamp or .target to register a false signal. *Thelower'end of the'hub 18 and the upper face off the lever 23 are provided at 41 (F with interlocking lugs for taking the twisting strain off of the mast shaft 17. Referring now to :the apparatus illustrated in Figure 5, it will be seen that as a 1 means for locking the hand lever 11 I have provided a base casting to which is piv- Otally secured a bell crank latch 31'having the projecting end 32' which passes over the .hand lever when in lowered position, and

the jaws '33 for guiding the hand lever into place. Integral with said bell crank lever is the weight 34 and a foot piece 35 located "opposite said weight on the other side of the pivotal pin shown intermediate the I sides of the base, 'sothat by pressing down- 'tion shown by means of the through the latch;

wardon the foot piece 35 the lock can be released. The parts are locked in the posipin 36, passing In Figure 8 I have illustrated a modified form of integral mast which is vertically adjustable by j the nut 39 secured against rotation by the pin 40.

From Figure 7 itwill be apparent that in order to'insure the movement of thegear 15 in unison with the lever 11 and prevent any relative rotation of the gear or lever on the shaft, I provide the shaft .10 with irregularly shaped endportions 37 and38.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new "and desire to secure I by Letters Patent, is the following: v V

1. A switch target comprising. in combination a main casing, a mast, and a ear carryingsaid mast providedwith bearings in said casing at its upperand lowerparts, substantially as described.

- 2. A switch stand comprising in combibelow in said casing, and a mast of irregular.

shape in cross section fitting'an irregularly shaped openin through said gear, substantially as described.

4. The combination in a switch stand, of a casing, an operating gear supported therein and having an axial opening of angular cross section, a mast having its lower portion of angular cross section to fit the opening through the gear, and a switch lever also having an opening of angular cross section to fit the mast.

5. switchstand comprising in combination a main casing or body portion, a mast actuating means contained therein having, a gear, and an operating shaft of irregular shape in cross section fitting an irregularly shaped openin through said gear, substantially as described.

6. A switch stand comprising in combination a main casing or body portion, a

mast actuating means contained therein, a-

shaft of irregular shape in cross section for actuatlng sald mast actuating means, and a lever for moving said shaft having an 11'- regularlyshaped opening fitting said shaft,-

substantially as described.

7. A switch stand comprising in combination a main casing .or body portion, a

mast actuating means contained therein having a gear, a lever vfor moving said gear, and an operating shaft of irregular shape in cross section fitting irregularly shape openin s through said gear and lever, substantiaIly as described.

8. The combination in a switch stand, a:

lower portion of angular cross'section to fit a the opening through the gear, and a switch lever also having an opening of angular cross section to fit the mast.

In testimony. whereof I have hereunder signed my name in thepresence of the twoj subscribed witnesses.

FREDERICK E. PLACE.

Witnesses:

PAUL CARPENTER, DoNALn C. WILLIAMS. 

